Clinical evaluation of
homoeopathic medicines in bronchial asthma

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine therapeutic efficacy of
homoeopathic medicines in the management of bronchial asthma and to identify reliable
indications of the effective medicines, most useful potencies, frequency of
administration, and their relationship with other medicines. The objectives
also included determining the efficacy of homoeopathic medicines to alleviate
acute exacerbation of asthma and to prevent further progression of disease by
controlling recurrent attacks.

Methods: It was a multi-centric observational study (Open clinical trial) carried
out by Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy at its five research
institutes/units from the year 1978 to 2003. Out of 2641 bronchial asthma
patients enrolled, 2107 patients were followed up regularly. The detailed case
recording was done for each case and the medicine (similimum) was prescribed
according to the principles of Homoeopathy. During acute attacks, medicines
were selected on the basis of presenting symptoms while during asymptomatic
phase, medicines were selected on constitutional basis. Mother tinctures of
certain medicines were used to check acute attacks of asthma.

Results: Out of 2107 cases followed up, 52 patients were cured and 1822 cases
improved in varying degrees: marked improvement in 856 cases, moderate
improvement in 444 cases and mild improvement in 522 cases. Improved cases
showed less frequent acute exacerbations and decreased intensity and duration
of subsequent attacks of asthma. Out of these 233 cases did not improve. Arsenicum album was seen to be the most
effective and most frequently indicated medicine in the treatment of asthma as
it alone improved 933 cases out of 1042 cases it was prescribed. Other
medicines found effective were Hepar
sulphuris (n=51), Kali carbonicum (n=83), Lycopodium clavatum (n=60),
Natrum sulphuricum (n=78), Phosphorus (n=34)and Pulsatilla nigricans (n=63). Viburnum opulum mother tincture was found effective during acute
attacks of asthma (n=29).

Conclusion: Theoutcome of the study shows
that homoeopathic medicines are effective in managing acute attacks of
bronchial asthma as well as in controlling recurrent attacks of asthma. A group
of most effective medicines in asthma were evolved and their most reliable
indications were deduced in this study. The other objectives of the study that
included most useful potencies of medicines, their frequency of administration
and relationship with other medicines could not be achieved. Now Council has
taken up a multicentric study on Chronic bronchitis with pulmonary function
test markers since 2005.